Ian Anstice

Quite a few items of note today.  Public libraries were a topic of debate in the House of Commons with Ed Vaizey defending their transfer to Arts Council England because they’re about culture.  I thought they were about literacy, information, community and education as well but, oh well, never mind.  Mr Vaizey makes a second appearance today in an announcement that he’ll be speaking at a press conference – along with the Society of Chief Librarians, the British Library and the Reading agency – “unveiling the exciting new initiatives that all public libraries across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, are rolling out throughout 2013.”.  Should be fun.  I’ve just been sent a video of one of the exciting things that happened last year, a 3D Printer / Tech Fair, that took place in Gateshead and is worth a watch.

The protest meeting in Newcastle was well attended (between 250 and 300 packed in) with some forceful speeches including a call for direct action. The campaign there is also still causing some brilliant articles that clearly show the continued need for libraries.  A city that is facing it’s own share of library cuts, Liverpool, is also about to reopen a somewhat amazingly refurbished Central Library, of which there is a video here, and hopes to double its visitors each year to an impressive one million.

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Pride of place today has to go to the wonderful article by Ann Cleeves on why Cruddas Library in Newcastle has to be saved. It resonates with me and, I am sure, it will with you as well.  The campaigners in Newcastle are doing a notably impressive job in protesting against the cuts, proving that one does not have to be in London to have the eye of the media.  With further cuts planned in others places far to the north of the metropolis (such as Sheffield and Gateshead, also both in the news today), it’s shaping up to be another high-profile year for public library cuts.  With that in mind, it’s interesting to see that the Guardian (Culture Professionals) are choosing the topic of community libraries as their first online chat of the year, this Friday 12 noon to 2pm.

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Tim Coates (ex boss of Waterstones and now boss of e-book company Bilbary), on the last Public Libraries News post, commented on Phil Bradley’s article on 3D printers.  Phil has responded to the comment below.

“I’m not sure what point Mr Coates is trying to make, since even a cursory reading of my article makes it perfectly clear that I’m considering the role of these printers across the board. Indeed, the specific point that I make regarding public libraries is that they are NOT yet appropriate. With regard his other issues with my statements; he says that libraries should provide people with information when they want it. I agree entirely, and that is what libraries do, and in some instances this helps people back into work, improves or empowers them and by doing so, helps to improve their community. I’m sorry if he thinks that this is ‘pretentious’ or ‘ridiculous’, but since he’s in agreement with me I’m not sure what else I can say.” Phil Bradley, via email.

In other news, the importance of internet access in libraries is underlined by a report that says a third of poorest pupils do not have it available at home.  There is also considerable coverage of Chris Packham’s criticism of cuts to his local library and to the ongoing Newcastle library cuts.

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In the first Public Libraries News post for 2013, the articles doubtless show themes which will be with us throughout the year to come.  We have national government blaming councils for closing libraries and councils blaming the government for doing so.  We have questions over what public libraries are for – books are an important one here but increasingly with ane  – and questions over using new technology, with our old friend 3D printers making a controversial appearance once more.  Big names (step forward the New York Post, Independent and Guardian) argue for the importance of libraries while the decision-makers who really matter keep silent or blame eachother.

On a more local scale, we have further moves towards volunteers running libraries (with a noticeably increasing and controversial emphasis on this being able to improve the service) and for co-location.  We also have more evidence that, surprise surprise, closing branches actually directly reduces library use. Different forms of governance of libraries is covered, with the pros and cons of transferring a library service to a trust (“community benefit society”) looked at in York. Something new last month but that is being repeated a lot is using the new user-friendly Cipfa figures to embarrass poorly performing councils. Finally, we of course have public protest, with Newcastle in particular looking like the big flashpoint.

So, in summary, much of the same but a smattering of the new.  Another year of immense change is upon us.  It’s going to be exciting, dramatic, depressing, optimistic, frustrating and dynamic.  Buckle up, look for opportunities, work hard and … above all … don’t give up.

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Christmas is here so let us forget our sorrows for a few days, recharge our batteries and have fun. Have a great Christmas everyone and let us hope that 2013 is a better one … and remember, librarians are in the only profession where borrowing going up is a good thing.

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